International Trade Law News

Today's Seattle Times contains two must-read articles on Boeing's efforts and difficulties to ensure that the 787 is "ITAR-free." The main article, entitled "Separation anxiety: The wall between military and commercial technology", describes how several Boeing engineers refused to sign waivers declaring that key manufacturing techniques and technology relating to carbon-fiber composites that will be used in the aircraft originated in Boeing's commercial aircraft business, not in military programs such as the B-2 stealth bomber. The article discusses the company's efforts to confirm that the technology used to develop the aircraft is not subject to the ITAR and notes Boeing has more than 100 people on the 787 project dealing with export-control matters.

The companion article, entitled "How B-2 data wound up in 787 program", describes one instance of how B-2 data leaked into the 787 program and the steps Boeing took to resolve that issue.